Justin Ware overcomes nerves to win his first youth world championship.

This time, he was leading a performance halter mare, FF Would Ya Look, a 2006 gray mare. Justin has had “Jazzy” almost a year, and he was really taken with the Kidlook mare’s gray color. He’d been in the arena before, so he wasn’t nervous about that. He has shown a lot, so he wasn't nervous about that.

He was nervous for a different reason.

“When I got out there, she was having trouble keeping her head up and stuff like that,” he said. “She’s a real good mare, and she’s really laid back. I like her a lot. She always shows real easy as far as that.

In a class that filled the Jim Norick Arena at Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, three of the five judges picked Justin and Jazzy for the top of their cards. They were second under the remaining two judges, good enough for Justin's first world championship and his first gold-tone trophy.

“I’d say I’m going to put it in my room,” the 15-year-old said.

Justin Ware of Providence, Kentucky, leads out FF Would Ya Look after winning his first world championship. (Journal photo)